Munich. The Mexico City E-Prix (MEX) this coming weekend sees
the fourth race of the season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
After wins for Alexander Sims (GBR) in Diriyah (KSA) and Maximilian
Günther (GER) in Santiago (CHI), the BMW i Andretti Motorsport Team
is travelling to Mexico at the top of the team standings. Sims and
Günther are in second and fourth places in the drivers’
championship. Our preview provides you with the most important facts
about the new circuit and the key factors for a successful Mexico
City E-Prix.
You can find the BMW i Motorsport Media Guide for Season 6 attached
to this Media Information and also access it here: https://b.mw/Media_Guide_E. It
contains detailed information on the technology of the BMW i
drivetrain and the BMW iFE.20, as well as background on the technology
transfer between motorsport and production development, on the BMW i
Andretti Motorsport team and the drivers.
TRACK FACTS MEXICO CITY.
Circuit length
2.606 km. Clockwise driving direction.
Location
The
circuit is at 2,234 metres above sea level. Low atmospheric
pressure affects tyre pressure and the cooling system.
Corners
16 corners,
of which 6 are left turns and 10 are right turns. Very fast
right turns. Distinctive, tight stadium section between T10
and T15 is decisive for a good lap time.
Track surface
Quite
level. No vertical differences.
Grip level
High.
Disadvantage for qualifying Group 1 should not be as
pronounced as in Santiago.
Track layout
Completely new track section between T3 and
T8. Sequence of corners also changed from T9 to T11.
Chicanes removed between T8 and T9 and in T16. This leads to
a significant increase in average speed compared to season 5
and to significantly higher energy consumption.
Tyre wear
Very
high, especially for the left rear tyre. Highest level of
wear in the entire season.
Top speed
Approx.
240 km/h before T9.
Attack zone
ATTACK
MODE is activated between T11 and T12.
Key factors
Tyre
management in qualifying and in the race, energy management,
mechanical grip and rear axle stability.
Quotes ahead of the Mexico City E-Prix:
Roger Griffiths (BMW i Andretti Motorsport Team Principal):
“We have not been taking it easy after our successes in Diriyah and
Santiago. We have been focused on all aspects of a Formula E weekend
to ensure that we can continue to improve while our fans in Mexico
City are watching. We realise that consistency and avoiding errors are
the key to success in Formula E. The circuit in Mexico City should be
well suited to the strengths of the BMW i drivetrain. Our podium
finish last year showed that. The changes to the track layout should
also have no effect. The downside of our successful start to the
season is that our two drivers will have to compete in qualifying
Group 1. However, we think that this will be less of a problem in
Mexico City than on many other circuits. Our aim is to record some
good results and get into the points with both cars.”
Alexander Sims (#27 BMW iFE.20):
“I think that there have been some very interesting changes made to
the track layout, which will hopefully make the racing even better.
The last corner in particular is very long by Formula E standards and
could be a lot of fun. All in all, I think that those in charge have
managed to improve on what was already a very cool circuit. I expect
energy management to play an even bigger role than it did last year
but we have a good package and a strong team. We are also confident
enough to be aiming for some more top results. However, we have been
involved for long enough to know that everything can change so quickly
in such a hard-fought race series. That is why we have to stay focused
and work hard.”
Maximilian Günther (#28 BMW iFE.20):
“Mexico City is a very special race location for many reasons. We are
at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, which will certainly affect the
cooling system. This track is also one of just a few on the calendar
that is not a street circuit. That means that it is wide and not very
bumpy, while also having long straights that you can drive on at
maximum energy. Of course, driving through the baseball stadium with
thousands of spectators cheering us on is a real highlight. I am
really looking forward to my first start in Mexico City, as I was
sadly not able to take part last year.”
The FANBOOST vote.
FANBOOST gives Formula E fans the opportunity to vote for their
favourite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the
race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes receive an extra
100 kJ of power, which they can make use of during a brief time frame
in the second half of the race. Fans can vote for their favourite
driver in the six days prior to, and leading up to 15 minutes into,
each race. Each fan can vote once per day. There are three ways to
vote: Online at https://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/,
via the official Formula E App or on Twitter using the hashtag
#FANBOOST plus the drivers first and last name as a one-word hashtag.
Hashtags of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers:
#AlexanderSims
#MaximilianGuenther
The BMW i Safety Cars.
BMW i is “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula E
Championship in Season 6. Spearheading the fleet are two Safety Cars:
The BMW i8 Roadster Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100
km; combined power consumption: 14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO2
emissions: 46 g/km)*, which has been specially modified for use at the
racetrack, and the BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car (combined fuel consumption:
1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 kWh/100 km; combined
CO2 emissions: 42 g/km)*. The BMW i fleet also includes the BMW i3s
(combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy consumption:
14.6-14.0 kWh; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Race Director
Car”, the BMW 530e (combined fuel consumption: 1.8-1.6 l/100 km;
combined energy consumption: 14.5-13.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2
emissions: 40-36 g/km)* in its role as “Medical Car” and the BMW X5
e45 (combined fuel consumption: 2.0-1.7 l/100 km; combined energy
consumption: 23.5-21.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 46-38
g/km)* as “Rescue Car”.